•Bayelsa Govt wades in, urges warring Opolo and Okutukutu communities to sheathe swords

The Bayelsa State Government on Monday condemned ongoing communal clash between neighbouring Opolo and Okutukutu communities in Yenagoa Local Government Area over land dispute.

The government regretted the attack on Opolo community, allegedly carried out by some individuals from the neighbouring Okutukutu community, which has reportedly resulted to loss of scores of lives on both sides.

The State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement issued by his media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi, condemned the attack and directed relevant security agencies to fish out the perpetrators for prosecution.

Ewhrudjakpo warned that the present administration would not condone a situation where individuals or communities resort to violence and physical attacks over territorial or land boundary disputes, more so when such matters are pending in the law court of competent jurisdiction.

He, therefore, called on Opolo, and its neighbouring communities particularly Okutukutu to refrain from taking any further action capable of leading to breakdown of law and order in the area.

The Deputy Governor urged the feuding communities to sheathe their swords as the state government is taking every necessary step to resolve the issue, including an emergency meeting with leadership of the affected communities in his office by 3pm on Tuesday, February 20, 2024.

Ewhrudjakpo expressed deep regrets over the loss of lives and property from the incident, and assured the bereaved families that government would do everything within its powers to ensure that justice was served.

The clash had compelled motorists to desert the ever busy Melford Okilo Expressway and left the road desolate following wanton destruction of lives and property in the area.